Demand growth trend continues for ICT staff

The demand for ICT staff continued to grow, increasing for another quarter according to the latest REC Technology Demand and Supply report, produced by e-skills UK.

Permanent vacancies were up by eight percent and for contractors 11 per cent compared to the previous quarter. Meanwhile the number of available applicants decreased with the ratio between demand and supply of labour now standing at 1.2 potential applicants per job.

The report also shows that advertised demand for ICT staff has now risen over four consecutive quarters and now stands at the highest level since Q4 2008, when demand started to slowly return to growth.

Commenting on the results, Jeff Brooks, Chair of REC Technology said:

"This report confirms our view that the IT sector remains healthy and demand continues to grow. In several skill areas, we will continue to experience shortage of supply and this will put pressure on pay and contract rates.

"Whilst public sector cuts provide uncertainty going forward, some of those reductions in demand have already been made by public bodies and I do not think they will change the demand landscape significantly. IT recruitment companies should see this report as a very positive state of affairs and we remain confident of the future direction of our sector and the IT industry."